From the article: Are Gel Feeders Safe?
Block fish feeders for use on vacation have long been panned for their negative effect on the water chemistry. But what about gel feeders? Have you used one? If so, did it work, or did you come home to a disaster? Help other fish owners
gel feeders
- Just got back after being gone for six days. Worked fine. They were all cleaned up by the fish.
- —Guest Gerald Koehler
Gel Feeders
- I tried them and my fish would not eat them! We were gone 7 days!
- —Guest ew2ing75062
Gel feeders
- I am planning a trip in mide September. I have purchased the gel type feeder and will use it. I will also do a water change before and after vacation and test all levels. will report back.
- —Guest Joanne
Yes, I love them!
- I went away for a two week trip and could not get a house sitter. I had to experiment with 2 seven-day gel feeders and when I got back all my fish were alive and well. There was no change to my tank water and the fish were still moving about as usual. Usually; when I am home, I prefer to use the normal everyday stuff, though.
- —Guest Wayne
Yes
- Having said that, I can only speak from experience and they worked for me, the fish were healthy and there was no change in the water condition. I will use them each time I leave the house for a week or more.
- —Fish4me
They worked for me
- As well as my indoor tanks, I have two outside small ponds. I put the gel feeders in the ponds and was away for 3 weeks, my house sitter was advised to put a new feeder in each week. All were consumed by the time I got back and all fish were alive and well, no affect on water quality. Will be using them again on this years holiday away.
- —Fish4me
Gel Feeders
- I have used these quite recently and they are weird looking,, but the fish seemed to be happy to eat these. We were away for 1 week. I like the thought of using these as opposed to the plaster block type fish feeder. I have used the stick type weekend feeder quite successfully but the only place I know that has them is a bit of a drive and I'm lazy. I would be happy to use the gel feeders again . I would like to know what they use in the gel feeders as the base or the setting agent.
- —blackswordfish
Gel feeders
- I've also tried the tetra gel feeders.I bought the daphnia variety,my fish were not very interested in it.They did try it,but,clearly do not like it much as it is left in the tank for days being ignored,eventually being consumed by snails and shrimps.I mentioned this to a friend who does use tetra gel feeders successfully.She told me the daphnia variety is her fishes least favourite,they enjoy the bloodworm and brine shrimp variety a lot more.I haven't yet tried these varieties with my fish yet,but will do.
- —Lydia_Maria
Terrible
- Never decomposed, even after five weeks, and most of my fish died. It was only supposed to last for a week!!!
- —Guest Jason
Gel Feeders
- I was gone for two weeks and did not lose one fish with the gel feeders. I am not sure, though, how much the fish ate. I used them again a few weeks ago with the same results.
- —stonypt
Only feeders we use
- I have used the gel packs many times; the fish go directly to it when they see it falling. I put two in since when the (lazy) pleco realizes it is there he swims over and defends it as his easy food source. Never have any remnants when I get back. Of course I do not know if they last the length of time they say they will, but I put two 7 day feeders in my 35 gallon tank and there were no dead fish after being gone 10 days.
- —Guest needsaloginname
Gel feeders
- We went on a 10-day excursion to Florida and decided to use a gel feeder for our 10 gallon tank. To our surprise, they didn't touch it. We have one velvet platy, two gouramis, a neon tetra and a painted tetra. I forgot to test the chemical make-up of the tank before and after, but to my naked eye, there wasn't much change.
- —Guest acphilly
Gel feeders - my fish won't touch them.
- I went away for a week. I have eight tanks, and not one of them had fish that would touch the gel feeder blocks. Next time I think I will break them in half so they can get at some food. The outside gel coating is so effective, and lasts so long in water, that the fish don't detect it's food.
- —Guest warren
